4.13.2015

An on the Road Again Meta MKAL GIVEAWAY!

Hello!

I'm heading out to California today... I've got two days planned of relaxation/creativity/shopping/hiking/eating/philosophizing with a dear friend and then I'm headed to Vogue Knitting Live in Pasadena where I will be teaching a full schedule of some of my favorite classes.

Besides teaching I'll be signing Knockout Knits at the Yarnover Truck Booth (#323) on Saturday from 12:30-1:00. On Sunday I'll be on a panel about the Design Process with Susan Anderson, Barry Klein, Sally Melville and Amy Herzog from 12:15 - 1:00.

Y'all might have figured out by now that I love to run giveaway's on my blog while I am away... it makes me feel less guilty for going out of town!

This giveaway is a good one.... while working on color Meta Mystery KAL for The M Club, Melanie from Black Trillium sent me two colors to decide between. I chose Copper Roof (as it reminded me of the roofs we saw in Innsbruck last summer), and I was left with this gorgeous skein of Silken Lace in my stash.

I asked Melanie if I could use it for a giveaway for those of you hoping to knit a Meta Mystery Kal with Silken Lace, and she said yes! I even went bead stash diving and found the perfect matte black AB beads to go with it!

Alrighty time for the giveaway details...
I've got TWO 100gram balls of Silken Lace to giveaway with beads to match for Meta Mystery KAL. The first clue comes out April 28th... the winners will get their yarn and beads in plenty of time to cast on.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below by 11am (EST) on April 20th (the morning I get home), don't forget to
leave a way to get in touch with you! I will randomly choose the winners later that day and announce them in my Ravelry group and on Facebook.

I'd love to hear what your favorite things about Mystery Knit-A-Long's are... and if you are a Mystery KAL virgin, that's great, just let me know why you are thinking of joining in!

227 comments:

This is my first time joining M Club and the mystery KAL. I just joined the end of last month. I begged Laura to let me in. I was so lucky that one of the member gave up for some reason, and Laura was so nice and she let me in. I'm very excited. I have not received my packages for the first and the second project, but it worth to wait. I love Laura's designs very much. I think I'm addicted to them. I enjoy very much start from choosing yarns, sometimes beads, colors... It is so much fun and I'm sure the end project will be very beautiful.

One more addiction... Every night I will make sure that I check Laura's blog and her forum to see if there is any updates. Otherwise, I can't fall asleep.

I taught myself to knit when I turned 30 but then I got a couple of cats who loved playing with the yarn so I put it away. Now 30+ years later I am knitting again as a therapy since my husband passed away last Oct. I found you on Craftsy and decided to learn continental style knitting and made the switch in time to knit skywalker and now I've just finished my first beaded project after taking your beading class. I've never tried a KAL before much less a mystery KAL but I love your designs and trying new things so bring it on! Trish

I've done a couple of Mystery KAL's and this is what I like the most. It helps me to knit faster because I always make sure that I get the previous clue knit before the next clue comes out. It's extremely motivational. I'm Oneday Designs on Ravelry.

Not sure my comment registered so I'll try again...I like Mystery KALs because they add some excitement and interest to what might otherwise be an ordinary project. Also, participating in a Mystery KAL often stretches me to knit something that I might not have chosen if I had seen the finished project before starting--but can become something you love! And the community aspect of any KAL is great and motivating.I'm JerseyShoreDeb on Ravelry.

Oh dear! This is the tnird time I try to comment. I hipe all three comments won't miraculously appear all of a sudden. Never did a KAL but after reading about them. I'd like to try. Also blue is my favourite color. Perfect!!!

I like seeing all of the different projects on a KAL. And MKAL's just add an extra level of fun seeing how the pattern unfolds. This is gorgeous yarn; I've wanted to try Black Trillium for a long time.

The only MKALs I've done so far are for socks, and I have mixed feelings about them for items that need to be a particular size, but I'd love to try one for a one-size-fits-all item because they're very motivating in terms of getting things done.

I recently discovered your classes on Craftsy (LOVED them, they've helped me SO much!). I've been trying to decide which of your patterns to knit next...an MKAL would be really fun! Thanks for the chance to win! Enjoy your trip!

I like for MKALs to be interesting and to teach me something. I also really like that they have a built in schedule and motivation from the others knitting along with me - I really benefit from that incentive to finish! I'm 4throse on Ravelry.

Your KALs are the best......always learning something new or reinforcing what we think we know. There is the best support both from members of the group and its moderators. And finally a unique gorgeous wearable piece of art.....always wows my knitting workshop fellow members. Would love this gorgeous yarn, eager to try it!

Ohhhh I could easily use that yarn and bead combo - they're great! I love to participate in your KALs There's always something new to try and your patterns are so well written. I also love the KALs for the social side of things. I've made a lot of great friends through participating in them and continuing to be part of the new KALs is a terrific way to maintain those friendships.

Love MKAL's and yours especially. I always learn a lot, and my knitting improves with the encouragement from your Ravelry site. After Magpie, I feel like a fairly accomplished knitter, and look forward to Meta. (Melanie1275)

I love MKALs because it's fun letting go of control once in a while and see where it takes you. The speed of KALs in general are great. I am motivated to keep up and it helps me knit faster and more often. I also like it when designers incorporate new to me stitches as part of their MKAL. Gets me to knit outside the box. I'm currently working on my second MKAL ever with Jimmy Beans Wool.

My favorite thing about MKAL's is learning new techniques and the "surprise" at the end when the pattern all comes together and you finally get to see what you have been working on for the last few weeks. Of course, with a Nelkin MKAL, the "No Knitter Left Behind" philosophy gives lots of support and fun as we go along. (I am stitchalong on Ravelry.)

I decided to participate in the Meta Mystery KAL to learn about using beads in knitting. I have learned a lot already in just the comments, advice, etc. regarding yarn choices, beads abrading the yarn, etc. I have especially appreciated Sietsma's substantive replies on the forum topic in addition to Laura's, of course. Have a great time in California, Laura!

OMG! My favorite colors. I have been trying to order some Black Trillium for this MKAL and everything I like is sold out. This combo would be perfect!

I love all the helpful hints you add to your patterns and the camaraderie among the Nelkinites is beyond fabulous with all the help and encouragement offered. Love meeting other Nelkinites in real life and I finally get to meet you and others at VKL in a week. Plus, and it's a big plus, I am going to visit Cindy on my way home. Best. Vacation. Ever!

I love MKALs because it's fun letting go of control once in a while and see where it takes you. The speed of KALs in general are great. I am motivated to keep up and it helps me knit faster and more often. I also like it when designers incorporate new to me stitches as part of their MKAL. Gets me to knit outside the box. I'm currently working on my second MKAL ever with Jimmy Beans Wool.

I love the excitement of knitting on a project that has me guessing what it will become like last years M Club projects. You always teach us something new and exciting. Enjoy your mini vacation and VKL. hehl on Ravelry

Would love to win the mkal kit. I love mkal well because I love the mystery. I have done all the mkal you have had since I started knitting 3 years ago except this set. I just couldn't afford the m club this year. And then I got started with some projects in my guild and have had all my knitting time kept busy. Especially with a 14 month old taking lots of my time. Mkals are my favorite though. I love the discussion and teamwork. I love seeing the project develope with many others. it is just such a fun experience.

The yarns for this KAL are so luxurious, I wish my LNS would have dyers in their back pocket to make us things like this. I would like to win this so I could make another astonishing shawl! You can contact me as theresa326 on ravelry. Thanks!

I enjoy knitting during knit alongs as I find it quite motivating altho honestly I'm not so much into the mystery part of it & would only ever do one of Laura's MKALs because no matter what we make I know I will learn loads & end up with something wonderful to gift or keep

I like the sound of it! Meta Mystery KAL. Also like the mystery aspect, not knowing what the finished result is going to be, much like life as we live it day to day. A knitting mystery, what could be better? Plus I have always wanted to bead some lacy knitting, have only done it once, swore a lot, hope it might be more fun in the company of others, albeit virtual. And that yarn and those beads are in one of my favorite colors - that twilighty blue ... makes me sigh ... CammieD on Ravelry

That's a lovely giveaway package. I'd love to be the lucky winner--fingers crossed! I took a knitting with beads class with you at FibreSpace in Alexandria, VA last fall and really enjoyed it! I'm soccerballetmom on Ravelry as well.

I have not personally done a Mystery knit a long before, but I would love to try this one. I love the bead and yarn combo that you've chosen, Laura! The colours and textures look so beautiful together.

I'm looking forward to the first construction clue for the knit-along! Working on my Cheers! Shawl while I wait. Winning the yarn and beads would save me from having to make a decision. :) #betterwithbeads

I'm leaving another comment because I think I hit the wrong button :-(. I love MKAL's. My knitting has improved so much because of them. There are many patterns I wouldn't have attempted, but with a mystery, there is no fear. And lots of help in your forum if needed. Thanks Laura!lesatustin on Ravelry

I'm one of those "Mystery KAL Virgins"! :P I recently purchased two of Ms. Nelkin's Craftsy classes hoping to better learn lace knitting! I'm in the process of working through 'Skywalker' and was so excited at actually being successful at lace knitting, that I felt confident enough (maybe foolishly) to sign up for the KAL! :)

I am a novice knitter and joined the MKAL Club to get back into knitting. I love the challenge and the yarns - they make it exciting to knit again. I'm focused on doing a great job so I'm taking personal knitting classes at my local yard shop

These colors are so awesome!! This will be my first mkal!!! I'm so excited! The day the first clue is released will be my first day back to work after having my 2nd baby!! My downtime at work is almost my only knit time! So I so happy to get started back with this surprise mkal!!:) email is brandycarter212@gmail.com

I am KAL virgin. While knitting, I listen to knitting podcasts. A lot of them do KAL. I'm always afraid I will not be able to keep up. When I heard that Laura was starting a KAL, I thought why not! I have taken her craftsy course and also love her designs. I look forward to starting.

I am lusting after that yarn! I did last year's Mystery club but couldn't spring for it this year. I still have the last project to do too. I would love to have a chance to participate in this MKAL.dswgr6@gmail.com

Did your Trapeze- my first lace, first MKAL, first beaded, first shawl project. Will do it again for the challenge, fun, mystery, learning new skill and for a gift for my niece who's graduating from college. - Snoopy25 in Ravelry

Posted earlier in a hurry and forgot my Ravelry name carolm7323. When I retired I was afraid my brain would turn to mush. The mkals keep my brain from hibernating. Thank you for all the help and keep them coming.

This looks like it would be so much fun. I have never participated in one of these but would love to do so. I love a good mystery!!! The colors look wonderful together and the whole concept is too cool!

This looks like it would be so much fun. I have never participated in one of these but would love to do so. I love a good mystery!!! The colors look wonderful together and the whole concept is too cool!

I LOVE your MKAL's. They challenge me as a knitter and I always learn something new from them...I ADORE the yarn and beads in your give-a-way! Thank you for the chance to win them...Hope you have a great trip. Sounds like a lot of fun!

After taking a couple of your classes on Craftsy and doing either 3 or 4 of our MKAL, I had skipped the Magnify (did purchase the pattern at the time) because the Magia just kicked my butt & I needed a break. I LOVE your MKALs and the support. I was in withdrawals. So happy you started another. If I don't win this at least I have time to still go to my LYS & gauge my yarn.SidraG (Ravelry name)

Alas.....I am. MKAL virgin. I love your designs and Have made several pioneer cuffs and a mudra to get my feet wet with knitting with beads. I took two classes with you at Vogue/Chicago and learned/ laughed a lot. I would love to turn it up a notch with the MKAL. I hope to get the chance to no longer wear the title MKAL virgin :)))). My ravelry ID is knitty48

Beautiful yarn and beads, Laura. I personally think your taste in yarn and corresponding beads is impeccable. I've learned so much from watching what you combine for the MKALs. This will be my 5th one! Sonnydays on Rav

My very first MKAL in my very first year of lace knitting. I'm signed up for 4 of your courses and I am constantly learning new things. I'm a terribly slow knitter and I hope that being Ina group of knitters will get to me to pick up the place. All in all its been a wonderful year of knitting and new projects.

My first MKAL was Magpie :) I am super excited to be in M Club Year 2! My favorite part of a MKAL is the anticipation and excitement of jumping into something mysterious and having absolutely no idea what you're making.

Alas, my long heart-felt post about weddings and Butin Collars and being very happy that Rav showed me an ad for this MKAL got eaten. I'm looking forward to this KAL because I haven't seen a single pattern from you that I don't think is amazing. Which is my general guideline in being comfortable with a MKAL. I do wish I'd known about the M group when I could have still joined, but now that I've joined the Rav group I can keep myself better informed about what is going on.

I have been part of two MKALs, one was fantastic, the other not so much. It really depends on how confident you are in the designer's other work and if the MKAL has a similar style to the rest of the designer's work. I find they can be lots of fun with the group working along together.

I have never participated in an MKAL or even knitted with beads. i would love to participate in your MKAL and learn how to knit with beads. Your patterns are beautiful. Thank you for your generous give-a-way. sandiphi on Ravelry

I love the blue color, with my red hair and blue eyes - it will really POP! I Had a great time doing Magpie MKAL - so amazing to see how the stitch combos create the shaping of a piece. My favorite part of a a MKAL is that the clues are like getting a present in the mail. :-) Heather

I enjoy the challenge in a mystery KAL. Working at following the clues without a visual of what I'm striving for is teaching me to be more precise in following the directions given. And I love watching it take shape. :) I'm nestinknitter on Ravelry if you need to contact me and tell me I'm a lucky winner of this gorgeous prize!!!

I love how Laura's MKALs always make people say "if I had seen this pattern/FO, I would have never even tried it." They push people to try something they didn't even know they were capable of, and that is priceless to me.Rav: SarahKakara

I've done MKALs in the past and really miss doing them this year, but with my husband out of work I have to cut back on my fun spending. I will be following everyone else's progress though :-). I love doing the MKALs because your designs are so beautiful. I also love them because of the challenge of knitting something without knowing what it will be in the end. When you finish an MKAL you always have something beautiful to wear or accessorize with.

You are so generous Laura! That yarn looks to dye for! What I love of the MKALs is all the learning that comes with each clue without being intimidated by the final piece. Also the camaderie we develop sharing our progress and ooooohing and ahhhhing at everyone's clues is just the berries on top of the cake!Backtobasics on ravelry!

Love your MKAL's! The bite-sized clues keep you focused and the mystery keeps you eager for more. The projects are beautiful and not at all intimidating when you don't really know where you're going, LOL!! You just follow along and enjoy the ride!

I've only done one other MKAL, the one from last year....Magnify! My favorite part of that was all the anticipation, plus how breaking it down into bite size pieces made something daunting into something doable. This time, I've never knit lace before so I couldn't stash dive and I've been himming and hawing over the cost. I should've logged in w/ my Google account but if not, you can email me at Zamiel if I'm a lucky gal :)

Greetings!I found you quite by accident while cruising through Ravelry looking for that perfect pattern for a shawl. "Phi for You" blew my skirt up and as I perused your page I found your blog. Had to get on your mailing list, and here I am. I totally Lovelovelove your designs, just brilliant! Many thanx, Susan aka SlipSlipSu on RavelryPSmight have to try the MysteryKAL after reading the "you will learn tons" statement. Doing my very first pair of socks now, love the stretch in the learning curve. Makes me feel way younger than me 66 years! *grinning broadly*

I've never done an MKAL, though I am frequently tempted. My reluctance is with limited knitting time, and being picky, I prefer some reassurance that I will want the finished project. Gorgeous yarn and beads and a favourite designer, maybe this will be enough to tempt me in?

I'm new to your designs, although I have a number of your patterns, so I'm looking forward to joining in and knitting this shawl. The yarn/ bead combo is simply stunning. Thanks for the giveaway laralorelei on Ravelry

Whoever wins will have a beautiful shawl. I've never done a mkal, my knit group did a kal on dish clothes, and I've done a mcal. I think they're fun, only reason I've never done a mkal before is when I've looked at other designs by the same designer I have not liked a lot of them, but now I've found out you do mkal's that's going to change. I love your shawl patterns, and I'm sure this one will be just as lovely as the rest.I taught myself to knit when I was 16, and thanks to your Craftsy classes ( I've got 3 of them), I've learned to love knitting lace. I was so afraid to truly delve into lace knitting before I took your 1st class on lace shawls, now it is something I enjoy and love. Your class taught me to read charts, something I could never figure out, but watching your class I finally understood them. I now will turn written directions that don't make sense into charts so that I can see what it's supposed to look like. I've grown so much as a lace knitter that I've even started adding lace into my sweaters, and working patterns that are written in another language but have charts I can follow. I can not thank you enough for what you have taught me. Have fun in California! Margaret (Megara211 on ravelry)

I like the MKALs because I usually learn a lot, as well as knitting something I might not try normally...also it's pretty cool to see what others are doing and the different yarns they choose. Always enjoy your KALs Laura. ssgirl on Ravelry...

Thanks for this gorgeous give away !I try because I am crazy of blue (raide dingue de bleu). Once I did one of your Mystery KAL (Kinetic), I was pleased with the result but on the principle I am not enthusiastic because I like to choose and know what I am knitting. Elisabeth (saintchristophe on Ravelry).

Wow!! The yarn and bead combinations that you come up with are gorgeous!! I love being apart of your KAL's and all the friendship, support and fun that we all have!! You always take us to a new level!! Have a wonderful time in sunny California!banff1962

Knitting for me is a spiritual discipline and saves my sanity from life's craziness. The last KAL in Laura's M group was my first and I enjoyed the fun of trying to see if my gauge matched working with a striping yarn. So often I have anticipated the problem areas and wait to see if they appear - part of the fun, too! The MKAL are a different story! They make me pay attention and follow directions. So often I'm changing something in a pattern so it's rare that I follow THE instructions. Knitting for almost sixty years, I never recognized the release and the creativity knitting provided until I felt spiritually beaten and decided to sit down and knit my heart out! It was just the thing, plus it lead me into M Group! I'm not very active because of my job yet I try to keep up with the posts! I have finished every project and am now heading into my own adventure in knitting! Thank you, Laura! crisbees on Ravelry.

I hope you had a wonderful trip! I love MKAL because:1. Fun and excitement that builds, while waiting for it to start.2. Omg, wonderful opportunity to learn.3. Wonderful, helpful community, always willing to share.sandyluvsyorkies on Ravelry

I've only ever done one MKAL, for one of Woolly Wormheads hats. It was fun, and I do like the finished hat, but I'm always a bit unsure about the mystery part. What if I don't like the finished object? I know, just rip it out or give it to someone who will use it. I'm slowly working my way thru your craftsy beading class, so maybe I should do this MKAL to hone my bead skills... SheilaOKeefe on Rav

I've done a few MKAL's with mostly good results. If it's with a designer who I'm familiar with, then it's a no brainer for me. I do like to be a little behind so I can see other people's color choices and helpful hints!

The unknown factor of the mystery knit alongs make them exciting, but it's also a little nerve racking -- did I choose the right colorways? the right texture of yarn? Am I working the pattern correctly? I'm excited for the start of this one.

Have a great trip! It's always ok to go away ... it keeps that inspiration coming for new projects for us!!

The bead and yarn combination for the giveaways is gorgeous!! If I win - contact me on Rav - KnitFoolDeirdre ... feeling stalked? No, I won't see you in CA!

So, my favorite things about Mystery Knit-A-Long's are the anticipation ... seeing a project unfold a little bit at a time ... great interactions with other knitters ... on-going support from the designer and test knitters ... the pure creativity of it - jumping in and going with it. I get all of these things from your MKALs ... and from some other MKALs (when I don't, I don't do another MKAL with that designer).

I love your...always learn something new! There is something so neat about putting your trust into the designer's hands and following them blindly...always know that I will end up with a beautiful FO when I do one of yours!! This blue yarn and beads are screaming my name....truly LOVELY! :)) Enjoy Cali and VKL ~ Kelly (lautakel)

Hi, this is LifesLover from Ravelry. I'd heard about the M Club back before sign ups for this year, but when it came time to sign up, I just wasn't able to justify the cost, which really saddened me because MKAL's are some of my absolute favorite. I love how the pattern just slowly comes to life, clue by clue, and the adventure of not knowing what comes next. And I love kits, especially surprise kits, because it keeps the mystery alive. KAL's are some of my favorite activities. The shared comradery and all of the helpful comments are so nice. I love seeing how other people do as much as I love seeing my work come out. In the short time that I've been a part of your group, I've found that the members have all been so unbelievably welcoming and warm. Questions are answered promptly and it's easy to feel the smile through the pages. I can't wait to start the MKAL, regardless of whether I'm fortunate enough to win this giveaway, or stash-dive for something else. I just know that the pattern will be a beautiful masterpiece and that the accompanied KAL will be a fun experience.

So, you are giving away the blue stash. How is that possible? It's BLUE, the color of the St. Louis Blues (not the NY Rangers blue) Have you figured out I am a hockey fan? It's Stanley Cup and MKal time. Do you know how hard it is to watch hockey and place beads at the same time? Couple that with taking shots (literally) after every goal scored and I am a mess. The fun thing about watching hockey and doing MKals is that my DH gets involved in both. You should have heard the guesses coming out of his mouth when I started Magpie, my first one last year. He was a riot. Now he just says, "hey, put a bird on it"! But again, it's hockey season, and the Blues have never won the cup, so maybe the gorgeous blue is an omen. Have fun in Pasadena (how can you not?). I'm ready for the Meta on the 28th. The copper roof green is amazing too, so I (and my DH) are excited.

I enjoy a good mystery and your MKALs are always GOOD mysteries!! The clues you release are just perfect to keep me guessing and excited to see what will come next. I also love the way your incorporate beads into the design and mystery. Perfect example - Magpie: when all was done we had a beautiful bead outlined bird. So cool!! I love how with each MKAL you teach something new - a new technique or design that makes the end result just beautiful. You help to make me a better knitter. My first MKAL in Ravelry was your Trapeze MKAL - first time knitting with beads; I have been hooked ever since.Keep 'em coming, Laura; I love learning something new!!

I love mystery knit a longs. When people ask me what I'm knitting I can honestly say I have no idea and they look at me like I'm crazy. LOL I actually enjoy the camaraderie of everyone helping and guessing what it is we're making. I learn a ton and utterly enjoy it!

oh my..... The blue is intoxicating!!! The wool matches my eyes and the blue and purple in the beads match my hair. The colors are leaving me speechless..... rockcritter on Ravelry and 'inlove' on your blog. ;)

Love this blue! (Love copper roof too-so how you decided was neat). MKAL are they a tad like living on the edge, trusting the designer and the fun of seeing what the needles produce. Also, the comradary on fellow Nelkinites is awesome. Have fun on your vacation

Knitting with beads is a new technique I am learning this year. I've already finished two projects using a crochet hook to add beads. The MKAL will introduce pre-stringing beads for me, then I can try your other patterns I have in my project list.

Oooh, love that color! I have never really done a mystery KAL before, but I love KALs in general, because of the community that grows around them, and I get lots of ideas from seeing how other people are making things - they are all so beautiful and different from each other. I love mysteries, so I think a Mystery KAL would be a fun thing to try. And I have never knit anything I didn't like from your patterns and kits, so I am confident I will love it, whatever it is! You can find me as Salpal1 on Ravelry, or at salpal1 (at) earthlink (dot) net Hope I win! And I hope you have a great trip!

The color is beautiful and since I already have my kit for the MKAL I know how wonderful it is! I am lucky enough to be in the club for the second year! Video tutorials are awesome, support of the group is too. Karencreates on revelry.